Sprayer



Aug. 26, 1952 L. E. BARTLING 2,608,327

SPRAYER Filed April 27, 1950 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Aug. 26, 1952 I L, E. BARTLING 2,608,327

SPRAYER Filed April 27, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I m /aa I mmvrog. [ore/2A? fiorf/my ATTOR/Yf) Aug. 26, 1952 L. E. BARTLING 2,508,327

SPRAYER Filed April 27, 1950 s Sheets-Sheet s mmvroa. I06 [Ore/2 A?Earl/ fly Patented Aug. 26, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT: orrlcsqg VSPRAYER Loren E. Battling, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Dearborn MotorsCorporation, Highland Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application April27, 1950, Serial No. 158,551]

4 Claims. 1 t

This invention relates to a tractor mounted sprayer.

An object of this invention .is to provide a sprayer unit having asimplified frame construc tion for mounting on a tractor having a pairof vertically swingable, power-lifted draft links.

Another object of this invention is to provide a sprayer unit having ahinged boom for ease in passing through restricted openings with thetractor and the mounted sprayer unit. I

A particular object of this invention is to provide a double hinged boomconstruction for a sprayer spring biased to the extended boom positionwhich will minimize the possibility of damage to the boom under alloperating conditions.

The specific nature of this invention, as well as other objects andadvantages thereof, will become apparent to those skilled in the artfrom the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with theattached sheets of drawings on which, by way of preferred example only,is illustrated one embodiment of this invention.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the sprayer unit shown attachedto the tractor.

Figure 2 is a plan view of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a rear elevational view of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detailed view of the hinge joint showing theboom in the extended position.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but showing the boom in apartially collapsed position. 7

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary detail plan view of the hinge joint.

Figure 7 is a cross sectional view taken along the plane 1-1 of Figure4.

Figure 8 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along the plane 8-8of Figure 1.

Figure 9 is an enlarged cross sectional detail view taken along theplane 9-9 of Figure 1.

Figure 10 is an enlarged detail cross sectional vie taken along theplane Ill-I 0 of Figure 1. Figure 11 is a detail plan view of a modifiedhinge construction.

Figure 12 is a detail perspective View of the modified hing shown inFigure 11.

As shown on the drawings:

Briefly, the improved sprayer of this invention is readily mounted onthe trailing draft links of a tractor of well-known make for ease andconvenience in transporting the sprayer during operation. Such sprayerincludes a frame for supporting a tank for containing spray liquid andsuch frame is mountable on the trailing draft links of the tractor. Aspray boom is also mounted on the frame rearwardly of the spray tank andtransversely of the tractor. The boom is collapsible to permit passageof the tractor with the mounted sprayer through narrow open- Park! ingssuch as gates when travelingto the working area, and an improved doubleacting hinge, spring biased to maintaintlie boom in extended position,permits the boom to fold in either direction when an obstruction isencountered.

The sprayer frame I (I of this improved sprayer for transporting thespray tank and boom is best illustrated in Figs. 1 tot. Frame 10comprises a U-shaped base member IIlayhaving vertically upwardlyextending side arms I lib. Intermediate the ends of the arms IIlb thereis secured to such arms as by welding a substantially lU-shaped memberWe disposed, horizontally and with the bight portion thereof extendingforwardly. The arms of the U-shaped member IIIc project. rearwardlysomewhat beyond the vertically disposed frame member IIla fora purposeto later appear. The two U-shaped members thus define a supportingpocket for a spray containeror drum '50. If desired, an L -shaped'bottommember Ind may be secured centrally of the bight portion of U-shapedframe memberIIlajand tothe underside of the bight portion of framemember Illc as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. V

The frame It is preferably utilized with a tractor of well-known-makehaving a pair of transversely disposed draft links I2 pivoted to therear axle housing I3 as at I4. Draft links I2 are power-lifted by a pairof transversely spaced lifting arms I5 operated by a hydraulic ram (notshown) built into the tractor. Lifting arms I5 are connected todraftlinks I2by connecting rods I6. A v

Draft links I2 are pivotally connected to frame II) in the followingmanner. A U-shaped bracket I I (Figs. 1 and 8) is welded in a verticalposition to the horizontal arms of the U-shaped member Iflc intermediatethe ends thereof. Draft links I2 are then pivotall'y secured between theupright side portions I'Ia of Ueshaped bracket If by a transverse pinI8, l?in,'|8'is removably secured to bracket I1 byalinch pinIB'a. H v

A Y-shaped arm or yoke I9; (Figs; 1 and 2) is provided to attach thetopends of frame member I Ila to a central hitchKpointdefined by a pairof lugs 20 provided on top of tractor axle housing I3. Each tine of theY-shaped member I9 is respectively connected to the upper end of thearms Iflb of frame member IOa by a bolt ZI. The stem portion I911 ofY-shaped arm I9 is pivotally connected between upstanding tractor lugs20 by a transversemounting pin 20a. The forward end .or bight portionofhorizontal- 1y disposed U-shaped frame member I00 is connected to theY-shaped arm I 9 by a. link 22. Link 22 is pivotally connected between apair of upstanding lugs 23 'on horizontal frame member I00 by atransverse pin m. A plurality of notches 221) are provided along the topend of and" from link 22 which selectively cooperate with a pin I92)transversely supported by Y-shaped arm 59 just rearwardly of the stemportion [9a. 1

Each of the notches 22b has its side walls sloped in a generallyvertical'direction so that anyone of said notches will readily disengagefrom pin l9b when the tractor draft links l2 are raised, but will remainin engagement with the pin I91) to prevent anylowering movements by thetractor draft links. Thus the links 22 serve to lock such frame at anselected vertical position which the hitch links may be raised to by theoperator by selection of one of the notches 22b for engagement with pinI9b. .When the hitch links are raised to any selected position, the

adjusting link 22'prevents any lowering of the hitch links and frame I0,thus making the load carried by the hitch links independent of theoperation of the tractor hydraulic system.

' On each rearwardly projecting end of the arms of the U-shaped framemember Ic there is welded a channel shaped bracket member 24 (Figs. 1and 3). Vertically aligned, substantiallysernicircular notches 24a. areprovided in the flanges of each bracket 24 as shown in Fig. 9 to receivea vertically disposed pipe-like post 25. Each post 25 is secured to thechannel shaped member 2 within notches 2441 by an eye bolt 26; securedin turn to the web portion of channel shape member 24 by a nut 26a. 7Each post 25 is supported in a vertical position by a channel shapedbrace 4. A tension spring 32, one end of which is secured to clampmember 39 and the other end mounted ,on a vertical pin 32a welded to endplate 29d,

yieldingly secures boom extension 290 in an extended position as bestshown in Figs. 2 and 4. Spring 32 likewise yieldingly retains boomextensions 290 in either folded position, due to the ofi center locationof the pin 32a when the boom extensions are in either folded position.

In Figs. 11 and 12 there is shown a modified hinge construction whichpermits the end plates to abut one another. In such figures an end plate$5 is welded to the end of center-portion 29a of boom 29 to seal oif thefiuid contained in such portion. End plate 45 has one end 45:; bentaround to define a vertical axis bore to receive one arm of a U-shapedhinge bar 46. The otherend 45b of end plate 45 projects substantiallybeyond the opposite'side of center portion 29a as shown in Figure 11.Boom extension 290 is pivotally mounted to a second end plated? as shownin Figures 11 and 12. End plate ii is substantially identical to endplate having one end 47a bent around to receive the other arm ofU-shaped hinge bar 36. A pair of transversely spaced lugs d8 are weldedto end plate 47 opposite center portion 29a as shown in Figs. 11 and 12.Boom extension 290 is pivotally secured for vertical movemerit betweenthe lugs 48 by a transverse bolt 49.

member 21 secured respectively at its upper and lower ends by bolts 27ato post 25 and U-shaped frame [00. Posts 25 are maintained intransversely spaced relationship by a tubular beam ZS welded to the topsof posts 25. Beam 28 projects sideways beyond each post 25 in cantileverrela=- tionship for a purpose to presently appear. As previouslyindicated, liquid container or drum 59 may be conveniently carried byframe Ill, resting on the bight portion of base member Ella and L-shapedbottom member [0d and laterally surrounded by U-shaped member I90 andyoke member l9.

A spray boom 29 is horizontally mounted on post 25 as shown in Figs. 1,2 and 3. Boom 29 comprises a central portion 29a consisting of a tubularconduit which is mounted transversely of posts 25 and is respectivelysecured to each post by a clamping member 30. The center portion 29a. ofboom 29 projects beyond each upright support post 25 to approximatelythe same width as the rear tractor Wheels. Each endoi the center section29a is sealed off by an end plate 29b welded thereto. Each end plate 2%is disposed longitudinally and serves as a mountingbracket for one endof a Z-shaped hinge bar 3|. One end of a Z-shaped hinge bar 3!! ispivotally mounted in a bent around end portion 29c on the forwardlydisposed end of plate29h. A second end plate 2911 having one end bentaround as indicated at 2971, for pivotal mounting on the other end ofeach hinge bar 3| is provided to support boom extensions 29c. Hinge bar3! lies between end plates 2% and 29d when boom extension 290 isextended as shown in Fig. 4. A pair of transversely spaced lugs 29) arewelded to each of the end plates 29d and the inner end of boomextensions29c are respectively pivotally mounted between lugs 29] by atransverse bolt 29g (Figs. 5 and 6). Thus the boom extension 29c may bepivoted forwardly or rearwardly. about hinge bar 31 for folding suchboom extensions against the center portion 2Ia and such extension mayalso be raised vertically about bolt 29g.

The other end Mb of end plate 41 projects substantially beyond boomextension 290.

U-shaped hinge bar it has its bight portion :ifib underlying the endplates at and ll and the arms of such hinge bar are respectively,rotatably secured at their ends to the end plates 45 and ll bytransverse pins eta insertable through a suitable hole provided in theends of such arms as best shown in Fig. 12. The same tension spring 32is utilized to yieldingly maintain the boom extensions in either afolded or extended position in the same manner as described for theZ-bar hinge. In the modified hinge construction it willbe noted that theend plates 45 and 4'! are in intimate contact or abutting relationshipas shown in Figs. 11 and 12. This construction provides a more rigid andsturdier arrangement when the boom extension 290 is in the fullyextended position.

The inner and outer ends of boom extensions 290 are suitably sealed toprevent the escape of spray fluid therefrom. Boom extensions 290 aresupplied with spray fluid from center portion 29a (Figs. 4, 5 and 6) bya iiexible conduit 33 suit ably connected to center portion 2911 at 33aand to boom extension 290 at 3327. Pressured fluid is supplied to thecenter boom section 29a from drum 58 by any suitable pump (not shown)driven by the tractor power-take-oii.

Boom extensions 290 are each additionally supported in substantiallyhorizontal relationship by cables 2%, such cables being suitablyconnected at one end to the ends of boom extensions 29c threadingthrough a depending eye 281) provided on each end of beam 28 andfastened to the tractor fenders 8 as shown at 9 (Fig. 3). The operatorof the tractor may then conveniently raise the boom extension endsvertically without leaving the tractor seat by merely pulling the cable26a. Thus obstructions in the path of the boom extensions such as stumpsmay be readily cleared. Obviously, cables 28a will not interfere withhinging movements of boom extensions 29c about hinge bars 3 l. v

A. plurality of nozzles 34 are secured to boom 29 in spaced relationshipfor discharging the spray fluid from such boom onto the rows ofvegetation. The nozzles 34 are laterally spaced apart at the desiredspacing to accommodate the rows to be sprayed. While nozzles 34 may beof any well known type, they preferably are constructed similar to thenozzle described and claimed in my copending application Serial No.147,070, filed March 1, 1950. Nozzles 34 comprise a bolt-like member 34ahaving a cylindrical head portion 34b. The shank portion 34d of nozzle34 is insertable in boom 29 through a pair of diametrically opposedholes 340. The cylindrical head portion 34b is separated from boom 29 bya rubber washer 35. The end of bolt 34 projecting through boom 29 issurrounded by a similar rubber washer 35 and a metal washer 36 is placedon top of such rubber washer. A nut 31 screwed on to the end of boltportion 34a draws head portion 341) tightly against such washer so thatboth washers 95 seal nozzle 34 tightly against boom 29 to eliminate thepossibility of leakage around holes 340. An axial bore Mat is providedin the nozzle 34 and such bore is connected by a transverse hole 34Ewithin boom 29 to permit passage of the spray fluid from the boom 29 toaxial bore 34d. The lower end of bore 34d is counterbored as shown at 34and a metal gauze strainer or filter 38 secured to a washer 39 by ascrew 40, is placed within such counterbore with washer 39 abutting thelowermost end of cylindrical head portion 341). A nozzle 4! having abore Ma of suitable configuration for producing a fine spray, is placedadjacent washer 39 underneath thereof and a cap 42 screwed onto thethreaded end 349 of head portion 34 secures strainer 38 and nozzle 4| tohead portion 341).

From the above description it is apparent that there is here provided asprayer unit which is easily and conveniently mounted on a tractorhaving the well-known three point hitch linkage, thereby facilitatingmounting and transporting of such unit. The spray boom is readilyfoldable to permit passage of the tractor and mounted spray unit throughrelatively narrow openings without the necessity of disassembly ordismounting of the spray boom. The double acting hinge and verticalmovement of the boom extensions assures protection of the boomextensions from damage. The improved spray rig of this invention issimple and hence can be economically constructed.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of constructionmay be varied through a wide range without departing from the principlesof this invention and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit thepatent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of theappended claims.

I claim:

1. For use with a tractor having a pair of laterally spaced,power-lifted, trailing hitch links and a top central hitch point, aspray rig comprising a vertically disposed first U-shaped frame, ahorizontally disposed second U-shaped frame having medial portions ofits arms respectively rigidly secured to medial portions of the arms ofsaid first U-shaped frame, an angular strap having its ends securedrespectively to the bight portions of said frames, thereby defining asupporting pocket for a fluid container, means for respectivelypivotally connecting the arms of said .second U-shaped frame to thetrailing hitch links, and a yoke pivotally connecting the ends of thearms of said first U-shaped frame to the top central hitch point of thetractor, thereby maintaining a supported container substantially levelas said hitch links are raised.

2. For use with a tractor having a pair of laterally spaced,power-lifted, trailing hitch links and a top central hitch point, aspray rig comprising a vertically disposed first U-shaped frame, ahorizontally disposed second U-shaped frame having medial portions ofits arms respectively rigidly secured to medial portions: of the arms ofsaid first U-shaped frame, thereby defining a supporting pocket for afluid container, means for respectively pivotally connecting the arms ofsaid second U-shaped frame to the trailing hitch links, an arm pivotallyconnecting said first U-shaped frame to the top central hitch point ofthe tractor, and an adjusting link. having one end connected to saidsecond U-shaped frame, and a plurality of means along its length forselectively connecting to said arm, thereby permitting selection of theangular position of said support pocket relative to the tractor.

3. For use with a tractor having a pair of laterally spaced,power-lifted, trailing hitch links and a top central hitch point, aspray rig comprising a first U-shaped frame disposed with its armsprojecting horizontally rearwardly relative to the tractor, a secondU-shaped frame having its arms vertically disposed and respectivelyrigidly secured to the arms of said first U-shaped frame, therebydefining a supporting pocket for a fluid container, means forrespectively pivotally connecting the arms of said second U-shaped frameto the trailing hitch links, a yoke for connecting the arms of saidfirst U-shaped frame to the top central hitch point of the tractor, atransverse pin on said yoke and an adjusting link having its one endconnected to said second U-shaped frame and having a plurality ofnotches spaced along its length, said notches being constructed andarranged for selective engagement with said pin, thereby selectivelydetermining the angular position of said supporting pocket with respectto the tractor.

4. The combination defined in claim 3 wherein said notches have sidewalls inclined so as to permit disengagement of any selected one of saidnotches with said pin upon upward movement of said hitch links.

LOREN E. BARTLING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,470,246 Willis et a1 Oct. 9,1923 1,634,701 Williams July 5, 1927 2,065,268 Crary Dec. 22, 19362,314,298 Welch Mar. 16, 1943 2,447,071 Hauffman Aug. 17, 1948 2,464,224Grabert Mar. 15, 1949 2,548,209 Foster Apr. 10, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTSNumber Country Date 82,509 Germany Jan. 25, 1921

